Amid controversies, Ogles turns in low fundraising numbers
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Against the backdrop of the national Democratic Party targeting his seat, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles turned in a paltry fundraising total.
Why it matters: Ogles figures to need a healthy sum in order to fend off challengers for his District 5 seat, which covers parts of Nashville and its surrounding suburbs, in 2026.
By the numbers: Ogles reported raising $53,187.28 for the period ending June 30. He has $59,406.19 cash on hand. He continued to report a $20,000 outstanding loan.
Zoom out: In the same period where his fundraising lagged, Ogles has been in the news quite a bit. He called for changing the 22nd amendment so President Trump could serve a third term.
- Ogles used Islamophobic language while calling for New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to be denaturalized.
- And he unleashed an intense attack on Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell for his response to ICE arrests in Nashville in May.
State of play: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has plans to target Ogles' seat. It is an unprecedented effort by the DCCC in recent Tennessee political history, and figures to pump money into the Democratic nominee's campaign.
- Metro Councilmember Mike Cortese announced his candidacy for the seat last week.
What they're saying: Jake Sherman, founder of the Washington D.C. politics outlet Punchbowl News, called Ogles' fundraising numbers "absolutely horrific."
- DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus seized on the report, sending out a statement asking, "Does Andy Ogles know he's running?"
- Axios reached out to the Ogles campaign for comment.
Reality check: Ogles has shown the ability to win tough races, fending off Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston in the last GOP primary and cruising to victory in the general election. He still has time to turn around his fundraising.
Flashback: Ogles' fundraising has been a source of controversy and the subject of an ethics probe. He reported a $320,000 loan over the course of several financial disclosures.
- Following media scrutiny and a public complaint, he amended his forms and reduced the loan to $20,000. He explained that he pledged the full amount, but only actually transferred $20,000.
- Ogles was initially the subject of an FBI investigation over his campaign finances. At one point his phone was confiscated.
- However, senior federal prosecutors withdrew from the case and it's unclear where the investigation stands.